POLOKWANE – Matric farewell season is upon us, and learners and their parents are going all out for this memorable day.
Review asks residents what they consider a reasonable amount to spend on a child’s matric farewell and if there is a difference in the budget for boys and girls.
Karen Muller says spending money on a matric farewell differs from child to child. “As a parent of both a boy and a girl, I believe parents should consider the amount of money you would spend on a farewell compared to the money spent on a wedding,” she says.
Rosina Hlahla has a son and a daughter, she says it will only be fair to spend close to the same amount on both. “I would spend around R3 500 for my daughter as she has hair and make-up besides her dress and shoes,” she says. Her son would be receiving a budget of only R3 000.
“Spending money would depend on your income. It is difficult to say, but no more than R3 000 should be spent on either a boy or a girl for something they may only wear once,” is Lillian Letseko’s opinion.
Jimmy Mafungo believes that a boy will spend much more money for his matric farewell, but he will only spend around R4 000. “Clothes are difficult for men. Shoes, for instance, are more expensive for men than for women,” he says. He would only spend around R3 500 for his daughter.
Is your budget a little too tight for your child’s matric farewell? Here are some tips to help you budget for their special day:
Tip 1: Make budgeting a family affair
Sticking to a budget isn’t just the responsibility of one tight-fisted parent, but something every family member should contribute to. Explain the bigger picture so that the teenagers can see the benefits of sensible spending. Set a budget of what you’re prepared to spend on your son or daughter’s matric dance and get them to help find a way in which to look stunning within that budget.
Tip 2: Give your teenagers tips and opportunities to save and generate extra income
For example, they could offer to wash their relatives’ cars over the weekends for a fee. Selling biscuits during lunch breaks at school is also a good way to make money. By encouraging this, you will cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in your children while teaching them about wise money management.
Tip 3: Make it relevant
Some youngsters might not be too interested in the implications of “double-dip recessions”. But they will relate to the idea that lowering their expectations of one night’s partying might enable them to save towards, for example, the deposit on a second-hand car. The advantage of having their own transport while their friends remain dependent on lifts can help shift their expectations.
Three money-saving tips for your daughter:
1. Free make-up
Get your makeup done by professionals at a makeup counter in a mall. You’re not requited to buy any products, but it would be polite to buy something small like lipgloss or mascara.
2. Borrow a car
Why spend hundreds (if not thousands) of rands on a ride that will not only last a few minutes, but which most people won’t even see. Ask around – perhaps a friend’s parents or a family member has a really nice car you can borrow. You could always offer to pay for petrol
3. Accessorise
You can always dress-up a simple, affordable dress with a large necklace, long earrings, a belt or even pretty heels.
And for your son:
1. Rent a tuxedo – it’s a lot cheaper than buying one, plus, chances are you won’t be wearing a suit sometime soon again.
2. If you want to get your date flowers, pay the florist in advance to avoid spending more later. (Like dresses, flowers tend to be more expensive during matric dance ‘season’.)
Taken from goodhousekeeping.co.za
